What is the significance of glucose

People with diabetes also often take glucose pills, which can be purchased over-the-counter at a pharmacy. Learn more: Low blood sugar hypoglycemia ». There are long-term consequences for unregulated glucose levels. It can lead to a variety of conditions, including:. More serious complications include diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome , both conditions related to diabetes.

Learn more: Diabetes tests ». Healthy glucose levels are an important part of keeping a body working at its best. Eating a healthy, well-rounded diet, supplemented with exercise, is essential. People with diabetes have trouble maintaining healthy and consistent glucose levels. A course of treatment can help. People with diabetes should also closely monitor their glucose levels, since the condition increases the risk of glucose-related medical issues and complications.

Read this article in Spanish. Monitoring your blood sugar is vital for controlling diabetes. Frequent high levels can lead to serious health problems. You may be able to manage…. A random glucose test is a random blood test to check glucose levels. Also called casual testing, it can help assess how well diabetes is being…. Everything you've wanted to know about type 2 diabetes: The warning signs, possible complications, risk factors, prevention, type 2 in children, and….

Excessive insulin production or supplementation can lead to hypoglycemia. Some tumors can cause low blood sugar, as they produce chemicals similar to insulin. A tumor may also consume so much glucose that it does not leave enough for the rest of the body.

People who undergo gastric bypass surgery might also experience hypoglycemia, as they will be able to take in less food than they were able to before surgery. Nesidioblastosis, a rare condition involving the enlargement of beta cells, often results in an overproduction of insulin.

Beta cells produce insulin in the pancreas. People with diabetes need to be especially careful to maintain steady blood glucose levels, but those without diabetes should also follow healthy lifestyle habits to avoid increasing the risk of developing the condition. The index gives a value to each food. Foods that will cause blood glucose levels to spike dramatically, such as candy, cakes, and junk food, are high in the glycemic index.

Measured against glucose, which is in the index, Watermelon, for example, has a mean value of 76 , honey is at 61, and chickpeas rank at The glycemic load GL is based on the GI. It provides a picture of the total impact a serving of food will have on energy levels.

It is an essential part of effective diabetes control. Many people with diabetes must check several times each day to plan for activities and meals, as well as scheduling doses of medication or insulin. A person can test their blood glucose levels with a glucometer. They usually come with lancets, or tiny needles, a logbook to record results, and test strips. People with type 2 diabetes normally need to test blood sugar concentrations at least once each day.

Those who need to take insulin, which includes all people with type 1 diabetes and some with type 2, have to test their blood several times a day. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting at least minutes of moderate-to-intense exercise each week can help. Any person who experiences symptoms of low or high blood sugar should see a doctor, whether or not they have a diagnosis of diabetes. Irregular or extreme blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes and other harmful complications.

Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can lead to the more severe complications of diabetes, so eating mainly low-GI foods and exercising regularly can help keep blood glucose balanced. Hyperglycemia is a term for high blood sugar levels. It can indicate diabetes and cause severe health problems without careful blood sugar management.

A blood sugar chart can help a person know if their glucose levels are within a suitable range. Low blood glucose levels hypoglycemia can also lead to major health problems, including brain damage, if not treated. A blood glucose test is used to find out if your blood sugar levels are in the healthy range.

It is often used to help diagnose and monitor diabetes. Your health care provider may order a blood glucose test if you have symptoms of high glucose levels hyperglycemia or low glucose levels hypoglycemia. You may also need a blood glucose test if you have certain risk factors for diabetes.

These include:. If you are pregnant, you will likely get a blood glucose test between the 24th and 28th week of your pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial.

You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. For some types of glucose blood tests, you will need to drink a sugary drink before your blood is drawn. If you have diabetes, your health care provider may recommend a kit to monitor your blood sugar at home. Most kits include a device to prick your finger lancet. You will use this to collect a drop of blood for testing. For more information on at-home test kits, talk to your health care provider.

Do not stop taking your medication or change the dosage unless your doctor tells you to do so. Health Diabetes Blood Glucose. Leigh Ann Morgan. Leigh Ann Morgan began working as a writer in Morgan also appeared as a guest on an episode of National Public Radio's "Marketplace Money" in The Importance of Glucose.

Video of the Day. Brain Fuel. Muscle Fuel. Fuel for Other Tissues and Organs. Structural Roles. Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia.